What’s Inside: This dairy-free sweet potato cheese sauce is a staple in my fridge. Made with sweet potatoes, nutritional yeast, and no tree nuts, this recipe is easy to make, and even easier to eat while remaining AIP- and Paleo-friendly!
Creamy cheese sauce is one of those decadent condiments that can elevate many dishes. It’s found on many of our favorite all-American classic comfort food dishes that are sole satisfying. But sometimes, we can’t tolerate dairy and need a tasty alternative to satisfy that cheese craving.
As a nutritionist, I tend to see dairy intolerances quite a lot in my practice and it can be a real drag to figure out safe replacements that don’t have a ton of yucky additives that will also irritate your stomach… so I love using easy, homemade cheese sauces like this one instead.
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How? That’s where this nutritional yeast cheese sauce comes in! This sauce is a variation of a reader favorite and is creamy, perfectly smooth, with the classic cheese flavor. The sweet potatoes provide a subtle sweetness and luscious texture, while the nutritional yeast provides that rich cheese flavor, we all know and love. Plus, it’s made without any coconut (or any tree nuts, for that matter) which makes this nut-free sauce compliant with AIP, Paleo, Whole30, and vegan diets!
So, the next time you need a dairy-free, nut-free, paleo cheese sauce to use on a classic mac and cheese, or as a dip with chips, or as the sauce in this butternut squash lasagna, or finally, my personal favorite: creamy shrimp over zoodles, whip up this easy recipe that requires only a few basic pantry staples and just 10 minutes of your time.
Looking for more dairy-free recipes? I’ve got you covered! Check out my all my dairy-free recipes here!
White sweet potatoes: Used to give the sauce a creamy, velvety texture while providing subtle nutty nuttiness. You may use any color sweet potato, but white is my personal fave.
Nutritional yeast: Provides this vegan, nut-free sauce with the classic cheese flavor.
Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar: Provides necessary acidity while giving the little bite of bit that is traditional to a classic cheese sauce recipe.
Sea salt and garlic powder: Offer key cheesy flavors to this dairy-free cheese sauce.
Store in an airtight container in the refridgerator for up to 5 days.
Sure can! Simply place in a freezer-safe container or freezer Ziplock bag and lay flat in the freezer for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge and then warm up according to the directions below.
When ready to use, reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through, stirring frequently to ensure it’s smooth.
It can also be reheated via stovetop in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until simmering. Whisk frequently to remove any lumps.
Love sweet potato? Here are more Paleo and AIP-friendly recipes using sweet potato!
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18 comments
I really, really wanted this to work. It looked great. And the texture was good. But the flavor was just not good at all. It was overpoweringly sweet potato. I even added more garlic. And then more lemon. Re-reading the reviews now I see that most of them are five-star reviews from people who didn’t even try the recipe. I’ll pay better attention next time.
This recipe was not flavorful, the apple cider vinegar through the recipe off even worse than it was.
That’s too bad! Thanks for trying it anyway. Perhaps one of the other cheese sauces would be more to your taste that I have on my site.
Wow this sauce looks ridiculously good!! Definitely going to try this one for dinner this week !!
I love this so much! Sweet potatoes make such a tasty, creamy sauce.
This is brilliant! I never would have thought you could achieve a creamy sauce without dairy or nut milk. What a great way to use sweet potatoes.
Love the sound of this sauce. Sweet potato makes it so silky smooth.
What a beautiful dinner idea. I love how light it is and yet so flavorful. I’m excited to give this recipe a try. Thanks for sharing.
This is such a great option for a non dairy creamy comforting sauce. Love the idea to serve it over zucchini noodles for summer too!
This is so creative! It looks so delicious and creamy. Yum!
What a great way to use sweet potato. I can’t wait to try this.
I’ve never thought of using sweet potato in a sauce but this looks so good and with such a creamy texture.
My son loved mac and cheese but he can’t have dairy. This recipe is a game changer for him. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so excited to hear that, Angela!
Can’t wait to try this! I love that ihis “cheesy” sauce is vegan!
Holy Moly this sauce is everything!!
what unique flavors in this recipe and its surely perfect for my lactose intolerant son! thanks
Lovely recipe. Sounds so light and delicious. I will definitely save this and give it a try.